Training tunic

ABSTRACT

A training tunic is provided with tapered front and back panels. The back panel has attached side straps that mate with matable front portions on the front panel. The end of each side strap is folded to form a pocket compartment opening upward. Where each side strap is attached to the back panel, an outer side pocket is formed along the back panel that is sized and positioned so that the side strap may be inserted into the outer side pocket. When the training tunic is worn, it is open on the sides above and below the side straps, and a sleeveless arm area is formed on each side of the garment between the shoulder seams and the side straps. Preferably the training tunic has a hood or may have a collar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to garments worn for athletic training.

Description of the Related Art

Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,021 issued to Somerville and U.S. Pat. No. 2006/0010555 A1 issued to Hayes are based on wearable towels that aid in removing perspiration from the body. Somerville's version is not used in training, but as a playing break garment. Hayes' version is used in training, but aims specifically for use under a sweat or warm-up suit or as a loosely fitted garment. The present invention is used over a person's workout attire or as a single uniform during combat/martial arts training. As shown in illustrations of these two patents, the overall loose rectangular shape and lack of form fitting attributes does not allow their garments to be used in rigorous full contact, body to body training, as the present invention does. Further, Hayes' garment fasteners are located along the edges of his loose fitting garment. The present invention sports wide extended and multifunction straps to join the rear and front panels. The Somerville invention exhibits sleeves. The invention of Hayes is designed to go past the shoulder and above the elbow as opposed to the present invention, which has no sleeves. Further the Hayes invention is preferably sized to be used under a garment, where as the present invention is to be used over a person's workout attire or as a single unit on the torso or in combat/martial arts training. Although the invention of Hayes does contain compartments they are located on the front panel of the garment and not on straps as in the present invention. Neither of these prior inventions allow a full range of motion for the athlete.

It is an object of the invention herein to provide a training tunic related to wearable towel garments for athletic training. This training tunic of the invention herein is a core body temperature regulator made primarily of terry cloth. It can be worn during full contact athletics and combat sport training and can be worn alone or over a person's attire. It is a form fitting sleeveless garment with a hood and compartments to house personal belongings during full range of motion. The invention herein is based on research that identifies the importance of maintaining a core body temperature that facilitates the biochemical reactions supplying energy for muscular contractions. Elevated body temperature also shortens the periods of muscular relaxation and aids in reducing stiffness. As a result with the use of the training tunic of the invention herein there is improvement in accuracy strength and speed of movement and an increase in tissue elasticity, which lessons the liability to injury.

Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from the following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein is a training tunic having a tapered front panel and a tapered back panel attached to the front at shoulder seams to form a neck opening. The back panel has attached side straps at the end of each of which is a matable strap portion that is aligned with and mates with a matable front portion on the front panel. Each strap end is folded to form a pocket compartment opening upward. Where each side strap is attached to the back panel, an outer side pocket is formed along the back panel that is sized and positioned so that the side strap may be inserted into the outer side pocket. When the training tunic is worn, the front and back panels are held together with each of the matable strap portions mated with a front portion, the training tunic is open on the sides above and below the side straps, and a sleeveless arm area is formed on each side of the garment between the shoulder seams and the side straps. Preferably there are two side straps on each side of the back panel. Preferably the training tunic has a hood. In an alternative embodiment, the training tunic has a collar.

Other objects and features of the inventions will be more fully apparent from the following disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outside of the front of the training tunic of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the outside of the back of the training tunic of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front of a person wearing the training tunic of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the back of the training tunic of the invention showing the pocket compartment on the end of each strap.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the outside of the training tunic of the invention in which two of the straps have been placed in outer side pockets.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a second embodiment of the training tunic of the invention having a yoke.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the inside of the back of the training tunic of the invention in which one of the straps has been placed in an outer side pocket.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the inside of the training tunic of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the training tunic of the invention herein showing an embodiment of the invention with a collar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

The present invention is a training tunic that is a full contact sport garment capable of withstanding rigorous activity, and can serve as a towel and bathrobe, as a martial arts uniform, and as a core body temperature regulator.

The training tunic's warming quality is produced by the nature of the materials used, which helps to elevate the core body temperature with ease, while absorbing the perspiration that is physiologically targeted at reducing temperature. The invention also slows down the cooling of the body once the activity has ceased, which is important because research and experimentation shows that the rapid cooling of the body after vigorous activity is not beneficial for the longevity of the athletes body.

The training tunic of the invention can be worn over a person's regular workout attire until optimal active body temperature is achieved, at which point, it can be easily removed even while wearing boxing or fighting gloves until the physical movement is ceased and the garment can be worn again to aid in gradually cooling down the body to inactive mode.

The garment in its totality is preferably made of 8 to 13 ounce terry cloth or towel material to absorb the bodily fluids produced during the training. Variations in material that may be used without deviating from the invention herein include a velour terry cloth for enhanced comfort and cotton blends to enhance form-fitting qualities.

The form fitting design, terry cloth material, strong stitching, and thick hemming allow the garment to be used as a full contact and combat sports training garment. The garment can withstand full strength pulling, tugging and ripping movements.

The fully attached side straps, sleeveless design and contoured shape of the front and back panel create a formed and secure fit. This attribute allows the invention to give the athlete full range of motion in a diverse range of sports.

Referring now the figures, the training tunic 20 of the invention comprises a single piece front panel 22 and a two piece center seamed back panel 42 as shown in FIGS. 1-2. As used herein the positional terms such as “front”. “back”, “upper”, “inner” and the like refer to locations on the training tunic 20 when the training tunic 20 is being worn.

The front 22 (FIG. 1) of the training tunic 20 of the invention herein is preferably comprised of a tapered squared or rounded front panel 22 preferably having a % inch lower hem 34 at the bottom and a ½ inch hem 32 at the sides. Preferably the front panel 22 has a length of about 28 inches±3 inches and a width starting at about 17 inches at the top and ending at 22 inches at the bottom. This amount of tapering of the front panel (and the back panel, below) with the panel being wider at the bottom of the training tunic than at the top of the training tunic allows the training tunic 20 to fit comfortably on a wearer.

The tunic back 42 panel (FIG. 2) preferably has a center back seam 44. Preferred dimensions of the tunic back panel 42 are a length of about 24 inches±4 inches and a width starting at the top at 17½ inches and ending at the bottom at about 22 inches. As is known in the art, measurements will vary as appropriate for different sizes of wearers. As on the front panel 22, the back panel 42 has a ¾ inch lower hem 34 at the bottom and a ½ inch hem 32 at the sides.

As shown, an oversized hood 36 (FIGS. 1-3) is attached by a seam to the neck opening 46 formed when the front and back panels 22, 42 are sewn together at shoulder seams 48. Attachment of hood 36 to training tunic 20 forms a face opening 38 on the hood 36 as is known for hood construction. Preferably the hood 36 has a length of 17 inches±3 inches and a width of about 14 inches, and preferably has a center hood back seam 37 as shown in FIG. 2. The hood 36 is also made of fluid absorbing terry cloth material and covers the wearer as is known in the art of hood construction.

The training tunic 20 preferably has two side straps 24 on each side of the back panel 42 as shown in FIGS. 1-2, and 4-8. Each side strap 24 has a hem 66 along the sides the side strap 24 and a hem 67 at the end of each side strap 24. Preferably the two side straps 24 on each side are about 4 inches apart with the top side strap 24 being about 14 inches down from the shoulder seam 48 on that side. Preferably each side strap 24 is about 11 inches long (depends on waist size) and 3 inches wide. It is within the scope of the invention herein to vary the number and size of straps so long as the straps serve the function of attaching the front to the back.

The back panel 42 preferably attaches to front panel 22 when the training tunic 20 is worn via mated hook/loop fasteners as known in the art, such as with VELCRO™. Thus in the preferred embodiment, there is a matable strap portion 28 (e.g. VELCRO™) on the portion of each strap end 26 (FIGS. 1 and 7) that is inside the training tunic 20 when the side strap 24 is positioned with the strap end 26 over sides of the front panel 22. This matable strap portion 28 on each side strap 24 is aligned with a matable front portion 30 (e.g., VELCRO™) on the sides of the front panel 22 in a position corresponding to and at the same level as the location of the side strap 24 on the back panel 42 as shown in FIGS. 1, 5. When the training tunic 20 is worn by a person 52 with the side straps 24 fastened as shown in FIG. 3, an arm area 40 (FIG. 2) is formed above the side straps 24 below the shoulder seam 48.

Preferably each of the side straps 24 has a pocket compartment 54 on the strap end 26 as shown in FIG. 4 that is formed by the folded-over end of the side strap 24. The pocket compartment 54 is located on the opposite side of the strap end 26 from the matable strap portion 28 and therefore is not visible in FIG. 1. Each pocket compartment 54 opens to the top of the side strap 24 when the garment is worn as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably each pocket compartment 54 is formed by folding about 2-3 inches of the strap end 26 back over the side strap 24 itself during construction of the training tunic 20, leaving an opening at the side of the side strap 24 that faces upward when the training tunic 20 is worn and closing with a seam the lower end of the pocket formed by the folded over side strap 24. The pocket compartments 54 may be used to hold mouthpieces, media, and other personal property whether or not the side straps are holding the training tunic 20 together at the sides of the training tunic 20. These pocket compartments 54 are positioned in the right location and tension to securely manage personal belongings in movement. Variations of the straps and compartments will include an increase in size, and the use of cotton blends with stretching qualities; Variations of the pocket compartments 54 may include a zip or hook and loop fasteners at the top (not shown).

Each side strap 24 may be fully concealable when not in use as shown in FIG. 7 by inserting the entire unattached portion of side strap 24 into the corresponding outer side pocket 56 on the back panel 42. The outer side pockets 56 are formed by sewing strap seam 50 around the outer edge of the strap end 26 of the strap 24 where it is attached to and overlaps back panel material as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. This forms outer side pockets 56 each of which has an opening 68 facing toward the side of the training tunic 20. Outer side pockets 56 are designed to store the straps 24 to allow a strapless configuration.

In a second embodiment, the training tunic 20 may have a yoke 60 to increase comfort as shown in FIG. 6. In the embodiment shown, there is a yoke center back seam 62 aligned with the back seam 44 and the yoke is sewn to the hood 36 by a yoke seams 64. In the embodiment with a yoke 60, the front panel 22 and back panel 42 are attached to the bottom of the yoke 60.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, there is a round (mandarin-style) collar 70, having a length of about 6 inches. In this embodiment, the collar 70 is preferably attached to the yoke 60.

While the above description of the invention includes particular seams to hold portions of the garment together, it is understood that garments that are seamless instead of seamed such as at the shoulder or neck as known in the art are equivalent to the invention herein.

The front, back, side and hood panels provide ample space for logos and personalized embroidery, often affiliated with team sports and martial arts dojos as known in the art.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications, and embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A training tunic, comprising: a) a front panel; b) a back panel attached to the front panel at shoulder seams to form a neck opening, wherein the back panel has attached side straps; wherein each of the side straps has a strap end with a matable strap portion that is aligned with and mates with a matable front portion on the front panel; wherein each strap end is folded to form a pocket compartment opening upward; wherein an outer side pocket along the back panel is formed where each side strap is attached to the back panel, the outer side pocket being sized and positioned so that the side strap may be inserted into the outer side pocket; and wherein when the training tunic is worn, the front and back panels are held together with each of the matable strap portions mated with a front portion, the training tunic is open on the sides above and below the side straps, and a sleeveless arm area is formed on each side of the garment between the shoulder seams and the side straps.
 2. The training tunic of claim 1, wherein there are two side straps on each side of the back panel, wherein when the front and back panels are held together with the side straps, the training tunic is open between the two side straps on each side.
 3. The training tunic of claim 1, wherein the front and back panels are tapered so that they are wider at the bottom of the training tunic than at the top of the training tunic.
 4. The training tunic of claim 1, further comprising a hood attached to the training tunic at the neck opening.
 5. The training tunic of claim 1, further comprising a yoke connecting the back and front panels.
 6. The training tunic of claim 1, further comprising a collar attached to the neck opening. 